Christian Horner says it is on them to provide Max Verstappen with a competitive car and push him to remain at Red Bull Racing beyond the 2020 F1 season.
One of the major topics as we head into 2020, is the soon-to-be active driver market within the top few F1 teams, with Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas all out of contract at the end of the season.
Even Alexander Albon only has one year contract which leaves both seats open at every top-tier team except for Ferrari, who re-signed Charles Leclerc until 2024 F1 season. And if Renault and McLaren pull their socks up, they may be options too.
If one goes by the recent stories, one of the most hinted-at switches has been Verstappen moving to Mercedes, with Hamilton moving to Ferrari to replace Vettel or if the British racer stays back then Verstappen still joins in, in place of Bottas from 2021 F1 season onward.
But Red Bull’s chief Horner feels otherwise downplayed the possibility of Verstappen-Mercedes and or Hamilton-Ferrari. He, in fact, feels that most will remain where they are and for them to retain Verstappen, it will be on them to provide a good car in 2020.
“I think 2019 has been Max’s strongest year in F1,” said Horner. “I think the way Max has driven, it has been very-very positive. Looking ahead, as you know, all the top guys are out of contract at the end of next year, [but] Verstappen is very happy in this team.
“We love having him within the team, he fits very well here. It’s down to us [now] to give him a competitive car next year. But, I think ultimately when the music stops I won’t be at all surprised would he to end up remaining in the same seat.
“Leclerc’s already under contract at Ferrari. Lewis obviously is pretty happy in his environment. Verstappen is happy in his environment. So if they’re sitting in competitive cars next year, why would they swap, or why would they move?”
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The story was written by Duncan Leahy and edited by Darshan Chokhani
